Andy Farrell finds valuable lessons as Ireland battle past Wales 

The Ireland head coach felt his side did not execute their exits to recent standards while he also thought they were guilty of overplaying the ball at times

Ireland head coach Andy Farrell felt his side played into Welsh hands at time during Friday's Six Nations victory. Pic: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

It may not have been as easy on the eye as the barnstorming display which dismantled England in the previous round but Andy Farrell learned as much, if not more, from Ireland’s harder fought victory over Wales in Dublin on Friday night.

Eight points in the final 13 minutes at Aviva Stadium, an unconverted try from Jamie Osborne and penalty from the boot of Jack Crowley, finally saw off a determined Welsh challenge as Ireland took a step closer to a Guinness Six Nations Triple Crown with a 27-17 win. That it took a losing bonus point away from the visitors was cruel on Steve Tandy’s side and added insult to the injury of a 15th consecutive championship loss. Yet Farrell’s men just about deserved their four tries to two victory after coming through a difficult challenge against a team dragging itself off the canvas after a miserable few years.